Bundesliga: Bayern Munich keep up pace, Augsburg suffer setback
Berlin, Dec 17 Bayern Munich continued their dominant run as they cruised to 2-0 victory over SC Freiburg, while Hannover 96 inflicted on FC Augsburg their second straight loss at 16th round in Bundesliga.
Bayern reaped an expected 2-0 win over 15th-placed Freiburg to increase their advantage atop the standings to 12 points for the moment. Freiburg had to thank their goalkeeper Roman Buerki, whose saves denied Bayern a higher victory.
The German giants staged a one-sided affair on home soil as Freiburg were unable to pose any threat. The hosts controlled the ball and the opponent yet they needed 41 minutes to break the deadlock.
Franck Ribery headed a long cross by Xabi Alonso into the path of Arjen Robben, who headed home from close range. It was Robben's 100th goal in 184 appearances for the "Bavarians".
After the break, Josep Guardiola's men started where they left off at the first half, as Thomas Mueller doubled the advantage just three minutes into the second half. Mueller capitalised on Juan Bernat's cross that dropped off the bar from where the German international nodded home.
Bayern continued to press for more goals but Freiburg's goalkeeper Roman Buerki avoided a higher loss with his saves. The 13th win of the season extends Bayern's lead on top of the standings to twelve points, for now. Meanwhile, Freiburg slipped into the drop zone after suffering their sixth loss.
Augsburg suffered their second straight loss as Hannover earned a 2-0 win thnaks to goals from Salif Sane and Joselu.
Augsburg controlled the game in the opening period but it was Hannover who opened the scoring through Salif Sane 20 minutes into the match. The defender headed home a flicked-on corner by Lars Stindl into the far post corner.
Hannover sealed the deal at the second half when Joselu doubled the lead following a converted foul play penalty into the bottom right in the 54th minute. Despite the second loss in row Augsburg remain on the 5th place while Hannover jumped on the 8th position.
Elsewhere, last positioned Stuttgart relive their relegation worries as the "Swabians" wrapped up a 1-0 thanks to the winner by Florian Klein. However, Stuttgart had to fear for their victory as Georg Niedermeier brought down Artjoms Rudnevs with a professional foul to see a straight red card in the 53rd minute.
FC Cologne shared the spoils with FSV Mainz 05 following a goalless draw. Both sides climb in the standings, Cologne jump from 11th to 10th position whilst Mainz move from 12th on 11th place.
The following fixtures are scheduled for Wednesday: relegation threatened Borussia Dortmund clash runners-up VfL Wolfsburg, Borussia Monchengladbach see bottom side Bremen, TSG Hoffenheim encounter third placed Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt host Hertha Berlin and newly promoted SC Paderborn 07 meet Schalke 04.